The US$6 million Robert V. Trout Hydropower Plant, located on Carter Lake, will be owned and operated by developer Northern Water. Power generated by the facility will be sold to Poudre Valley REA under a long-term power-purchase agreement.

"This project shows that hydroelectric projects are feasible and economical," said Anne Castle, assistant secretary of water and science with the U.S. Department of the Interior, at an event marking the facility's commissioning.

The project was also funded in part by a $2 million loan from the Colorado Water Resources and Power Development fund.